Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

8. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to set out the timeframe within which her Department intends to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a child death review mechanism; when implementation is expected to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50199/25]

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In light of the recent and heartbreaking death of Daniel Aruebose, I raise the urgent need for a statutory child death review mechanism. The Ombudsman for Children in the April 2025 child death review again raised his concerns as to the current system and provided clear recommendations for the Government. Such a mechanism is also provided for in the programme for Government, which is very good to see. Can the Minister provide us with an update as to where we are on implementing that commitment?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The establishment of a child death review mechanism, while very welcome, is not in the remit of the Department of children. As the Ombudsman for Children’s recent child death review report outlined, the majority of deaths take place in medical settings, which the Deputy will appreciate is outside of the scope of the Department. It is important to state that.

I welcomed the report entitled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland. I am conscious that the data outlined in the report also highlights that deaths of children in care are only a small subset of the overall number of child deaths occurring in the State. In that regard, the Department has a limited overall input in this respect. However, I assure the Deputy that the Department and I will proactively engage with the nominated lead Department responsible for the delivery of such a mechanism over the lifetime of this Government.

The death of a child in care or known to State services, whether at home, in care or aftercare, is a tragic event and, indeed, the death of a child in any circumstance is a tragic event, but it deeply affects family, friends, carers and staff connected to the child and local communities. Specifically in relation to a child in care, we are fortunate to have in place the national review panel, NRP, which conducts reviews of child death and serious incidents where the child is in care or is known to Tulsa. The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.

I am conscious that since its establishment the NRP has played a critical role in identifying systemic issues, obstacles to good practice, and areas for learning to improve services. Tusla has advised that out of the 133 reports that the NRP has produced to date, 90 reports or executive summaries have been published and are available on its website.

I can inform the Deputy that in instances where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both my Department and Tusla, officials within my Department ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate Department.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the State cannot control every tragedy, we do have a duty to respond to tragic deaths such as this with clarity and compassion, and that means heeding the ombudsman's recommendations. One of the ombudsman's recommendations relates to the Minister's Department where he is looking for immediate engagement with his office to find a resolution to the many limitations with the NRP in accessing information, engaging with other agencies and fundamental governance pending the establishment of a new statutory child death review mechanism. Which is the lead Department? Can we get some clarity on that? When will that happen? Will a cross-departmental group be set up and will we see progress on this? Unfortunately, these tragic deaths really underscore the need for this mechanism and we need to see follow through from the Government. I want to make sure I can do that and I need to know who I will be following up with.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a commitment in the programme for Government and therefore there is agreement across the Government. I was party to the negotiation of that programme for Government so I am very committed to that initiative. I believe it is hugely important. On the matter of full disclosure, I have also met the Ombudsman for Children and was happy to do so. The lead Department has not yet been determined by the Government. My understanding is it will be determined in the next short while. There are number of engagements related to that matter and finding the appropriate Department. In terms of the Department of children there is already the very specific review around the national review panel for children who are in the care of the State or known to Tusla, but the vast majority of children's deaths are recorded in medical settings, so it is not clear cut. It does demand that there be a cross-departmental look at this matter and that is ongoing.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister will know from the review and also from engagement with the ombudsman that one of the things he is really calling for is that the reports of the NRP should be shared with families and every effort be made to remove barriers to information. The frustration with timelines and communication with families can be seen throughout the report. Like everything in life, communication and clarity are key and that people are not left ghosted and left hanging. People are really suffering when they lose someone and we need to treat them with compassion.

In terms of the NRP, I would really appreciate if the Minister could make sure there is a commitment in the interim to communicating with families and delivering finalised reports to them. We need to make sure learnings from tragic deaths like this are responded to by the State in a co-ordinated and efficient way. It can be seen in the report that the ombudsman does not believe this is happening. We are not learning from these deaths and we have to do everything to make sure we can avoid future deaths.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I reiterate, for the purpose of accuracy, that the national review panel is entirely independent, and that is right and proper. There should be no interference with its work. It is entirely independent in its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla or anyone else. That is important.

I point out, and it is important this is stated accurately, that at least 90 of the national review panel's reports or executive summaries have been published and are available on Tusla's website. It is important to allow the NRP to do its work and do it independently. I agree 100% that utmost in our minds at all times must be the feelings, emotions and experiences of the families. There has to be extraordinary humanity here. When a child dies, it is the greatest tragedy, certainly in the lives of the immediate family and wider society, so the compassion the Deputy speaks of must be a given.